5 Best Guardians in Gaming History, Ranked

The role of a guardian is best suited for those who'd devote life and limb to a cause without hesitation. The good news is, the gaming industry isn't short of such loyal types, which bodes well for games that favor comradery between two allies. And as luck would have it, the market employs a number of quality guardians, many of whom possess the raw qualities to greenlight a spin-off series of their own.

Anyway, while on the subject of quality guardians, we thought we'd pluck out the best of the best. From the side kingpins of the role-playing domain, to the companions of the third-person shooter realm, here are, in our opinion, the five best guardians in gaming.

5. Auron (Final Fantasy X)

Sir Auron of Final Fantasy secures his role as one of gaming's most impressionable guardians of all time, and for good reason. As a long-standing ally to both Jecht and Yuna, the sword-wielding hero possesses more core knowledge of the battlefield than the vast majority of up-and-coming duelists. And as far as powerful friends go, Auron packs one of the strongest punches in the series, with attacks hitting triple digits every time.

He may be odd, and he may be a closed book with zero emotions outside of his loyalist mindset, but he is a strong friend to have stocked in any party. Say what you will about his lack of personality; it's the lionhearted outlook that wins our trust, every time. And boy, if we had to run back through the main bosses of Final Fantasy X, then we know for certain who we'd have glued to our sides.

4. Aiden (Beyond: Two Souls)

What is made out to seem like a burden in Beyond: Two Souls is, in reality, one of the most advantageous things in existence, and it isn't until the end of the game that you realize its exact worth. Aiden, an entity that is bound not by blood, but the airways between realms, acts as your guardian over a lengthy journey, and it also acts as one of your strongest weapons, providing you exploit its powers for your own benefit.

Of course, the bulk of Beyond revolves around Jodie, an antsy teen with a somewhat conflicted past. Aiden, who floats between the nether realms, plays his part by coursing Jodie between right and wrong, using his supernatural abilities to tilt the moral compass. If used correctly, the playable character can become one of the most powerful sidekicks in gaming.

3. Sully

Sully may not be the two smoking barrels of a combatant you'd ideally want in a firefight, but he is a knowledgeable one, as well as a useful ally to have bolted to one's side. He's also one of the most beloved video game mentors of all time, and the reason for Uncharted's overly ambitious protagonist, Nathan Drake.

Not only is Sully a streetwise thief with a wide palette of tools and techniques, but he's also a loyal friend, a comic relief, and a hearty addition to any shallow roster. Sure, he won't assist you out on the frontline, but he will give any task at hand his all, even if it results in zero financial or emotional gain. He's every gamers' favorite uncle, and we honestly couldn't vouch for a better guardian.

2. Elizabeth (Bioshock Infinite)

Bioshock Infinite cleared the way for what should've been another nine-to-five escort mission. Little did we know at the time, of course, was that by two o'clock, the one being escorted would wind up becoming the leader. But that's just Elizabeth, and we can't for us think of a better companion to wager. Plus, when next to the likes of Resident Evil 4′s Ashley, it makes Elizabeth look like the Chuck Norris of first-person shooters.

For starters, Elizabeth has the powers to open tears in the world, granting you opportunities to exploit and tinker with each and every battlefield. And then, of course, there's the endless reviving, the ammo supplies, and even hints on where to find rare equipment. Basically, she's an all-round heroine, one that quite simply put the celebrated Booker DeWitt to shame without even lifting so much as a little finger.

1. Naia (Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons)

In desperate times of need, one must become a bastion of strength, a mentor to like-minded individuals who beckon for guidance. That, to us, is the role Naia took on during Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, an emotional adventure that explored both brotherhood and mentorship. By the end of it, we couldn't help but fall in love with the chemistry between the two sibling protagonists, so much that it made us want to relive it time and time again.

Naia is not only a brother to Naiee, but a part-time father in training. After the two are made to venture out into the unknown to secure a remedy for their father's illness, the siblings become far more than just blood. There's meaning behind each and every encounter, and it baffles us to see how well-balanced the companionship is even to this day. And so, for what it's worth, we think Naia is one of the greatest video game guardians, period. Say what you will about his final scenes, but agree on the fact that, without him, the story wouldn't have been anywhere near as emotionally entwined.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there any guardians we should know about? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.